​Mindfulness in the workplace

There has been a lot of noted benefits of practicing mindfulness during your day- but can it be helpful at work?

I believe so- Yes!

The definition of the mindfulness I’m talking about is:

 “a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.”

It can be particularly useful to reduce stress and anxiety at work by bringing ones awareness back to the present. Here are a couple of things I do daily:

1: Breathe: Focus on your breath.

Slowing down your breathing can calm your emotional state and can be done anywhere and anytime. Before you turn your computer on in the morning to read your emails or before or after an important meeting, take a few moments to focus on your breath.

A good little exercise you can do: Focus on each in-breath and each out-breath. Breathe in through your nose for the count of three and then breathe out of your mouth for the count of three. Repeating this a couple of times. 

When we get stressed or feel tense we usually forget to breathe. 

 2: Relax on your break:

And not rush to the gym, power down some food AND do your errands all in 45 mins. It is also good to take a moment and get outside for some fresh air, have some time away from your screen (yes, I also mean your phone!) and relax doing nothing for 15 mins. Let your mind wander which create space for free thought, you could even focus on your breathing at the same time. It is easy to get caught up with the work day and I hear a lot of people say to me “what lunch break?” but you are allowed to step outside for some time - guilt free!

 Even when I have a busy schedule, I try to slow down and take a moment and make sure I do these two things everyday!